Key Information About the Crime Rate in Utah

Utah is home to several major landmarks, including the Great Salt Lake, Bonneville Salt Flats and Speedway, and Bryce Canyon National Park. Although much of the state showcases amazing red rock terrain, there are snow-capped mountains and pinyon-juniper forests here, too. Many people consider Utah one of the best states to live in because of its high happiness rankings, booming economy, and opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Utah has a crime rate of 24.96 per 1,000 residents. You have a 1 in 383 chance of being a victim or violent crime. Assaults and robberies are the most common violent crimes. About 98 murders and 5,300 assaults occur here each year. Theft is the most common property crime in Utah with over 50,000 cases, compared to 12,090 motor vehicle thefts and 7,562 burglaries. Plenty of Utah cities are significantly safer than the state average, but a few areas have higher crime rates.

What city in Utah has the highest crime rate?

South Salt Lake, a city of 25,000 in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, has the highest crime rate in Utah with about 800 violent crimes and one homicide occurring each year.

Utah property crimes are the highest in South Salt Lake too, with more than 7,000 incidents per 100,000 people each year. However, the crime rate has decreased since 2007. The chance of becoming a victim of a property crime in South Salt Lake is 1 in 14, which is significantly higher than the 1 in 45 rate for the state as a whole.

What is the crime rate in Salt Lake City, Utah?

Salt Lake City, the largest city in Utah with a population of 200,000, ranks second highest for crime in Utah, with about 712 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, including about 12 homicides a year. with a property crime rate of 5,657 crimes per 100,000. The highest number of robberies in Utah take place in Salt Lake City, and more than half of the city's violent crimes are aggravated assaults.

Some of the safest neighborhoods in Salt Lake City are:

• University Village: Many college students live in this neighborhood because it has a lower crime rate than other neighborhoods, and it's walkable. Sixty percent of the residents are college students. The neighborhood has ranked among the top 0.6% in Utah for college friendliness.
• Greater Avenues East: Nestled by the University of Utah and Emigration Canyon, Greater Avenues East is known as a safe area. It’s also one of the wealthiest areas in the city, and you'll often see luxury cars, such as Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Many of the residents send their children to private preparatory schools.
• City Creek: Neighboring Greater Avenues East to the north, City Creek is another safe neighborhood. Many retirees who enjoy the outdoors choose this area.

What is the crime rate in West Valley City, Utah?

West Valley City, the second largest city in Utah, reports 699 violent crimes per 100,000 and about 11 homicides each year. Property crimes occur at a rate of 3,189 per 100,000. West Valley City has one of the lowest costs of living in the Utah Valley and a mixture of residents with diverse income levels. Many in the computer and math industries call West Valley City home.

Among the safest neighborhoods are:

• Woodhaven West: Many in the manufacturing, laborer, and business management industries live in Woodhaven West. The Ridge Golf Club, one of the best local golf clubs, is located here.
• Mountain View Corridor Hwy: Mountain View Corridor Hwy is a college-friendly neighborhood that's low in crime and super walkable.
• Hunter Northwest: This safe area offers easy access to W SR-201 North Frontage Road and Parkway Boulevard. The highly rated Centennial Park is near the neighborhood, too. You can play basketball and baseball, go for a jog, or grill at the park. Most of the residents in Hunter Northwest work in manufacturing and laboring.

Why is the crime rate so high in Ogden, Utah?

Ogden is the eighth largest city in Utah but has the fifth highest rate of crime. Its crime rate is also significantly higher than the nation's. Annually, there are about 437 violent crimes per 100,000, including six homicides. Property crimes are around 3,600 per 100,000. As an important railway hub in the past, Ogden became a manufacturing city. Major employers include the IRS, education, and healthcare. Your chance of experiencing a property crime in Ogden is 1 in 32. Safe areas include Slaterville, Argonne Park, and North End.

Its history as a rough industrial and railroad town with poor residents may have contributed to Ogden's reputation as a less-than-desirable place to live, but the modern view is more encouraging, with many residents having great things to say about their city and calling its bad reputation unfair.

Vehicle theft in Utah

With the high chance of becoming a victim of a property crime in some of the most populated cities in Utah, you may be wondering how you can protect yourself. Simply locking your doors might not be enough. You can deter thieves by using alarm systems, cameras, and steering wheel locks. Make it as difficult as possible for them to steal the car, and make it clear that it's going to be difficult.

Our outdoor cameras can also help you beef up your home security. These motion-detecting cameras can spot abnormal behavior and trigger an LED ring to light up to indicate that the camera is recording. The Smart Deter technology also sounds an alarm to warn loiterers that they are on camera and being recorded. In other words, these handy cameras don’t merely record criminal behavior—they can actually deter it.

Home automation makes it easy to manage your home's security whether you’re home or not. You can quickly and easily check your cameras and control the lights from anywhere. We even have a feature that can close your garage door if it's been left open, which can help protect your home and property from criminal activity.

Reduce your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Utah

Your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Utah differs based on the city and neighborhood you live in. But no matter where you live, a Vivint home security system can help you stay safe. Contact us today at 855.822.1220 to learn more.